KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- Biola overcame a nine-point second-half deficit and forced overtime against No. 6 Westminster, but the Eagles ultimately fell 68-63 to the Griffins in the first round of the 2009 NAIA National Championship Tournament on Thursday afternoon in Kansas City.

Junior Rocky Hampton poured in 22 points and had 13 rebounds to pace the Eagles in the game while Danny Campbell added 12 points and Nate Rakestraw scored 10.

Biola held a three-point lead at 59-56 with just under a minute to play in regulation. However, Westmister was able to grab a pair of offensive rebounds after missed shots. The final offensive rebound found its way into the hands of Weston Anderson, who drained a long three-pointer to tie the game with nine seconds left. Biola had one last look at the bucket in regulation as Rakestraw's off-balance jumper as time expired rattled out.

In the extra period, Biola took a one-point lead as Josh Salo drained a three after the Griffins' Geoff Payne hit a jumper to open overtime. Payne gave Westminster the lead back with a pair of free throws, then hit another jumper in the lane after Biola turned the ball over on an offensive foul.

With about one minute to play, the Eagles still trailed by one and had a pair of open looks rattle out. Westminster wound down the clock and took a shot as time expired. The attempt missed but Payne was there again, to secure the offensive rebound. Jeramie Hopson would be fouled and convert both free throw attempts to make it a three-point game with 19 seconds left.

Campbell would have the last attempt for Biola down the stretch, but his shot missed, Westminster pulled down the rebound hit a pair of free throws with eight seconds left to secure the win.

Biola jumped to a 7-0 lead at the 18:05 mark in the game, and held a 14-7 advantage with 10 minutes left in the first half.  Westminster fought back and took a one-point lead at the 3:00 minute mark on a bucket by Michael Stockton. However, the lead was short-lived as Campbell hit a deep three-point shot 20 seconds later to give the lead back to the Eagles. The teams headed to the half with Biola holding a slim two-point lead at 25-23, shooting 47 percent in the first half while holding Westminster to just 29 percent.

Westminster got off to a fast start in the second half, taking a quick five-point lead just under five minutes into the half and increased it to 45-36 at the 11:58 mark. Biola still trailed 52-46 at 7:08 but went on a 8-0 run over the next two minutes to take a 54-52 lead with just over five minutes to go in the half.  They would maintain the lead and stretch it to three at 59-56 as Hampton converted a three-point play with 2:32 left, setting up the thrilling finish.

Payne led the Griffins with 22 points, scoring seven of Westminster's nine overtime points.

"I'm very proud of the way the guys played out there today," said Biola Head Coach Dave Holmquist. "They played their hearts out and gave a great effort. We are hoping we can build on this experience for next year."

Biola returns all but one player from this year's squad including all five starters. The Eagles wrap up the season with a 22-10 record, their best mark in four seasons.